OCBC Report

from The Hub September 2022

Chairman’s Report

guiding us to where they were soon had us sorted. I never realised there were so many bike tracks around that Woolston area. It was good to see “The Gang” out and about on the roads again enjoying what we do. There will be another “action packed” saga coming to you again in September.

Royce VOG 1 Dave’s problem

OCBC Report—August

If you refer to the Daffodil Rally report on Page 22, you will find out what happened on 21st August. There is no need to say any more about the day except it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The September OCBC is Sunday 18th. Bring a picnic lunch with you and if it’s a nice day we’ll decide where we can have a short run to enjoy it after OCBC. If the weather is cold or wet we’ll use the Barn.

Colin Hey

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TEAM First Sunday and Third Tuesday Morning Every Month. Come and join us!

Daffodil Day – 21st August

After two years of false starts, it was finally good to be able to run our Daffodil Rally again. For those who are not aware, this is a nationally coordinated VCC event, with similar activities run by most branches throughout the country on the same day. The prime focus is to raise funds for the Cancer Society, but it is also intended to be an event that provides an opportunity to promote the VCC by showcasing our vehicles, facilities, and the things that we do to all local motoring enthusiasts and the community in general. In previous years the runs have all begun at Cutler Park and then returned there, so this year we decided to try a slightly different format and refresh it a bit by starting the event away from Cutler Park in four different locations. This meant we could make the runs a little more interesting without having the vehicles spending time effectively driving to McLeans Island twice. Also, by spreading the start locations around and even beyond Christchurch, it gave people the opportunity to choose one close to home. This seems to have worked particularly well, even if it was a bit more work devising the routes that would eventually bring everyone back to Cutler Park. So, with everything set to go, it was a matter of waiting to see what would happen on the day. With rain causing havoc around central NZ, things were not looking too hopeful, but we had already decided to run it wet or fine – if the former, we at least had the clubrooms to retreat to once everybody arrived at Cutler Park. Finally on Sunday, a small window of promising weather began showing up on the forecasts, so we kept our fingers crossed and it did actually happen. The day dawned clear and calm - a beautiful autumn morning and early afternoon for our event! I went straight to Cutler Park, arriving there around 8.30am to find Amy with her coffee van already setting up, and one car already there. The Daffodil Rally coincided with the date for OCBC, but rather than cancel it, we decided to combine the two so that anyone who didn’t want to go on one of the runs could still come to OCBC and stay to see the cars arrive. Around a dozen members took this option, so got an early coffee before the crowds started to arrive. By 10am the Avonhead Rotary

group had arrived and were setting up for the BBQ lunch sales, and the musicians were busy assembling their gear on the balcony of the clubrooms. Everything was set up and ready to go as the first of the cars (mostly from the short routes available at each venue) began coming in from the runs about 10.30. There were a few at first but by 10.45 they were arriving in bulk and starting to queue up along the driveway as our helpers began Justine Ackroyd and Val Rickard with the Cancer Society's Choice car - Austin Healey taking donations from them in the Cancer Society buckets as they arrived. Cars and a few motorcycles soon began filling the area behind and to the west of the clubrooms, and people began queuing up for a well-earned coffee after the run. Soon, and even with 4 people taking the donations, the driveway was filled back to the road, and cars were streaming in. Word came through from our marshals that “there were about 100 cars or more” at each of the start points, some having arrived there soon after 9.00am! I have to admit I was starting to wonder if we were going to manage it all, but as usual, our team of helpers just stayed calm and just carried on efficiently working their way through the line. Before too long the area leading down to ‘Motorcycle Corner’ was opened and then full, and then we began sending cars into the main arena. Finally, by 12pm, it seemed everyone had arrived. By now the Philip Chapman and his band (‘Magic’ – who incidentally kindly donated their time for the day for free to help the Cancer Society) had cranked up the music to entertain everyone, and the queue for the lunch was being efficiently dealt with by the Rotary members. A meat raffle was also being run on the clubrooms lawn by our new committee member Henry Little and his wife Michelle. The grounds were full of at least 500 cars, and there

were people everywhere having lunch, catching up with mates, and looking around the huge variety of cars and motorcycles that had arrived. The sun was shining, and everyone seemed happy to be there. By 1.00pm a few of the assembled mass were already beginning to leave, so it was decided to try and get prize-giving done about half an hour earlier than had originally been planned for at 2pm. Nicola Buisman, the Fundraising and Campaigns Coordinator for the Canterbury and West Coast Division of the Cancer Society was sent out to choose the car which in her view best embodied the spirit of the event, and she was soon back with her choice, having already had a look right around the grounds. As well as this trophy, there were smaller ones made up for the best vehicle from each continent/country and the best motorcycle. Prize-giving soon got underway, and the results were as follows:

Best American Car – Maria Van Nus – Ford Mustang Shelby

Best British Car – Andy Webster – MGBGT V8

Best Continental Car – Arthur Poll – BMW Isetta

Best Australian Car – Kathryn and Glen Martin – Ford Fairmont

Best Japanese Car – Leo Lu – Subaru Imprenza

Best Motorcycle – Syd Martin – Norton Commando

Best Dressed Couple – Eric and Robyn Cox

Cancer Society’s Choice Trophy – Len and Val Rickard –

Austin Healey 3000.

By 2.00pm the sky had clouded over a bit and the temperature had dropped a few degrees, so most people began leaving. By 3.00pm everything had been packed and cleaned up, and the first raindrops began falling. How lucky we were, and what an absolutely great day!

Now, before I finish, I just want to convey my grateful thanks to everyone who helped out preparing for this event and who helped and took part on the day. From the committee members who diligently checked the 8 sets of route instructions and those who prepared the grounds before the event, to the 16 marshals who managed the crowds at each of the start venues and those who assisted with managing the cars and donations in the club grounds, to those who looked after the raffle, to the band and Avonhead Rotary, and to the few others who worked in the background – thanks so much for your input. And a special thanks to everyone who came along and donated funds for our hardworking local branch of the Cancer Society – so many people put far more money than the suggested $10 per car in the donation bucket and it will make a difference!

The funds collected on the day came to just over $7,300.00, and that doesn’t include those who paid on-line before or during the run.